door is a simple curtain that was left off for the
photograph to give a sense of size and rider position.
Figure 4 shows the inside layout with video screen,
joystick, seat, and rudder pedals.
When I built this version, a 15” flat screen LCD was
still expensive, but these days a much larger video screen
and even multiple monitors for side views is possible.
Cabin construction is incredibly light weight, inexpensive,
and simple. The floor is made from 1/2” plywood, and the
walls and ceiling are made from 1/8” 4’ x 8’ tempered
hardboard.
Hardboard is available from all major lumber stores for
about $9 a sheet, and bends easily into many shapes.
By gluing small wood blocks at all corners and along
seams as needed, the your cabin’s hardboard panels can
literally screw together. All seams are then reinforced, and
gaps are filled using a simple construction adhesive such
as Liquid Nails™. This design withstood many years on the
road, and worked perfectly for riders up to 220 pounds.
If you’re not into carpentry, no problem! Figure 5
shows an even simpler cabin made using standard PVC
pipe and fittings. By simply covering such a PVC frame
with fabric or any other thin material, a very simple
“hood” can be made for quick experimenting. Ultimately,
42 April 2014
; FIGURE 5.
Parts List (of sorts)
( 4) 1K 1/2 watt resistor
( 4) 10K 1/2 watt resistor
( 2) 2.5K potentiometers (highest quality possible)
( 4) IRF540 MOSFETs
7805 voltage regulator (to provide 5V current to
feedback potentiometers)
24V DC power supply (select amp rating to suit
your chosen solenoid valves)
Weeder Technologies digital I/O module WTDIO-M
Weeder Technologies analog input module WTADC-M
Note: My Virtual Flyer's Weeder boards connected to
the computer's serial port.
If your computer lacks a serial port, a USB to serial
adapter cable has been tested with the Virtual Flyer
and will work.
I do not have experience with newer USB based
boards or if they can be accessed from Quick Basic.
( 4) 24V solenoid valves (ideally 1/4" 150 PSI or higher)
Note: Larger air cylinders can run at lower pressures,
so lower PSI air valves than previously mentioned can
also work in that instance.
Parts Sources:
An extraordinary, inexpensive source for surplus
solenoid valves and cylinders is
www.surpluscenter.com.
For hoses and fittings including cylinder flow controls
(needle valves), go to http://www.clippard.com/.
Clippard's components are the highest quality.
I strongly recommend Clippard's needle valves such as
the MNV-3P to serve as your cylinder flow controls.
; FIGURE 4.